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George Mitterwald

Mitterwald caught for 11 seasons in the big leagues, posting a .236 career average with 76 home runs in the process. He played for just two teams during the 11-year span, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs. He came up with the Twins in 1966, but went back to the minors the following year. By 1970 he was Minnesota’s starting catcher, appearing in 117 games and hitting 15 home runs. His best year was 1973 which was his last year with the Twins. He hit .259 that season and posted career highs in home runs (16), RBIs (64) and Runs (50). The next year he was dealt to the Cubs where he spent the final four years of his career.

As he notes, Mitterwald and the Twins battled the Baltimore Orioles in back-to-back American League Championship Series in 1969 and 1970. The Twins lost both times, but Mitterwald posted a .333 average in the four games he played in. Following his playing career, Mitterwald was the bullpen coach for the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees.